Time to take a break from tennis, says top U.S. group

Reuters Reuters

5 April, 2020, 3:10 am

FILE PHOTO: An indoor training facility is seen at the USTA Billie Jean King United States Tennis Center which will be partially converted into a temporary hospital during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Queens borough of New York City, New York, U.S., March 31, 2020. REUTERS/Stefan Jeremiah

(Reuters) – Playing tennis might not be a good idea in these critical times, says the U.S. group typically busy encouraging more to take up the sport.

“Based on the recommendations of the USTA COVID-19 Advisory Group, the USTA believes that it is in the best interest of society to take a collective pause from playing the sport we love,” the United States Tennis Association said in a statement on Friday.

“Although there are no specific studies on tennis and COVID-19, medical advisors believe there is the possibility that the virus responsible for COVID-19 could be transmitted through common sharing and handling of tennis balls, gate handles, benches, net posts and even court surfaces.”